Silica exposure in a mining exploration operation.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Science
• Geology

Background:

• Limited research exists on occupational exposures during the mining exploration phase, contrasting with extensive studies on production mines.
• Core processing facilities are integral to mining exploration, yet worker exposure data remains scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess occupational exposure levels to respirable dust and crystalline silica in a mining exploration core processing facility.
• To identify specific work areas with higher exposure risks for respirable silica.

Main Methods:

• Air sampling was conducted in a Northern Ontario core processing facility, collecting both personal and area samples.
• Samples were analyzed for respirable dust (NIOSH 0600) and respirable crystalline silica (NIOSH 7602) using established methods.
• Statistical analysis was performed to estimate mean exposure levels and compare exposures across different work areas.

Main Results:

• Respirable dust exposure levels varied, ranging from below the limit of detection (LOD) to 2.24 mg-m⁻³.
• Respirable crystalline silica exposure ranged from below LOD to 0.055 mg-m⁻³.
• Significantly higher silica concentrations were found in core cutting and core sorting areas compared to core logging areas.

Conclusions:

• Workers in mining exploration core processing facilities are exposed to respirable silica.
• The findings suggest that existing exposure controls may be insufficient and additional measures might be necessary.
• Further investigation into exposure controls is warranted to mitigate health risks for exploration mining personnel.